Most Anticipated New Releases of August 2013

The following list is comprised of books my friends, family, and I are most looking forward to reading in August. It also consists of books by popular authors and others I've heard a lot of hype about. I am not flawless and sometimes I'll accidentally leave one or more books off the list that I shouldn't. Let me know if one of your favorites is missing. Sometimes my search techniques just don't work as well as I wish they did.

If you'd like to read a book's description, just click on the cover photo, you'll be magically transferred to Goodreads. Remember a book a day keeps the boredom at bay! Happy reading.

P.S. Sorry for the late posting. Traveling to RWA last month set me a little behind schedule on things.


1st - Dragonwitch (Tales of Goldstone Wood) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Aug 1, 2013)


5th - Mistress by James Patterson and David Ellis (Aug 5, 2013)
6th - Biting Bad: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel by Chloe Neill (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Burn (The Breathless Trilogy) by Maya Banks (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Cloche and Dagger (A Hat Shop Mystery) by Jenn McKinlay (Aug 6, 2013) new series!
6th - The Companions: The Sundering, Book I by R. A. Salvatore (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Crave: A Billionaire Bachelors Club Novel by Monica Murphy (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Elegy (A Watersong Novel) by Amanda Hocking (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Emperor of Thorns (THE BROKEN EMPIRE) by Mark Lawrence (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Guardian Demon (Guardian Series) by Meljean Brook (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Heart Fortune (Celta) by Robin D. Owens (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Heaven's Fall (Heaven's Shadow) by David S. Goyer and Michael Cassutt (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Hotshot by Julie Garwood (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Infinityglass: An Hourglass Novel by Myra McEntire (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Last Chance Summer: A Short Story by Hope Ramsay (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - The Last Witness (Badge of Honor) by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Once Upon a Tartan by Grace Burrowes (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Passion of the Purple Plumeria (Pink Carnation #10) by Lauren Willig
6th - Possession: A Greywalker Novel by Kat Richardson (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Skies of Gold: The Ether Chronicles by Zoe Archer (Aug 13, 2013)
6th - Terminated: A Revivalist Novel by Rachel Caine (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Turn Around Bright Eyes: The Rituals of Love and Karaoke by Rob Sheffield (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - Undead and Unsure (Undead / Queen Betsy) by MaryJanice Davidson (Aug 6, 2013)
6th - When the Stars Threw Down Their Spears: The Goblin Wars, Book Three by Kersten Hamilton (Aug 6, 2013)
7th - Glitch by Heather Anastasiu (Aug 7, 2012)


13th - Awoken by Timothy Miller (Aug 13, 2013)
13th - Blood of Tyrants (Temeraire) by Naomi Novik (Aug 13, 2013)
13th - Keeping Her: A LOSING IT Novella by Cora Carmack (Aug 13, 2013)
13th - The Last Kiss Goodbye: A Novel (Charlotte Stone) by Karen Robards (Aug 13, 2013)
13th - Rose Harbor in Bloom: A Novel by Debbie Macomber (Aug 13, 2013)
13th - Stalked by Death (Touch of Death) by Kelly Hashway
13th - Wallbanger by Alice Clayton (Aug 13, 2013)
13th - Winds of Salem: A Witches of East End Novel by Melissa de la Cruz (Aug 13, 2013)
15th - Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Genevieve Tucholke (Aug 15, 2013)
17th - Dust (Silo Saga) by Hugh Howey (Aug 17, 2013)


20th - The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon (Aug 20, 2013)
20th - Can't Help Falling in Love by Cheryl Harper (Aug 20, 2013)
20th - The Kill List by Frederick Forsyth (Aug 20, 2013)
20th - Omens by Kelley Armstrong (Aug 20, 2013)
20th - The Rise of the Hotel Dumort (The Bane Chronicles) by Cassandra Clare and Maureen Johnson (eBbook) (Aug 20, 2013)
20th - The Third Kingdom by Terry Goodkind (Aug 20, 2013)
21st - Split at the Seams (Sierra Fox) by Yolanda Sfetsos (Aug 21, 2012)


27th - The Arrangement by Mary Balogh (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Bitter Kingdom (Girl of Fire and Thorns) by Rae Carson
27th - Blind Justice: A William Monk Novel by Anne Perry (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Bones of the Lost: A Temperance Brennan Novel by Kathy Reichs (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass) by Sarah J. Maas (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Deception (Courier's Daughter) by C. J. Redwine (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Deception Cove (A Rainshadow Novel) by Jayne Castle (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Fall of Five (Lorien Legacies, Book 4) by Pittacus Lore (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Heart of Venom (Elemental Assassin) by Jennifer Estep (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Heavy Metal (Goddesses Rising #2) (Entangled Select) by Natalie J. Damschroder (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Hero (Thunder Point) by Robyn Carr (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - How the Light Gets In: A Chief Inspector Gamache Novel by Louise Penny (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - I Married the Duke: The Prince Catchers by Katharine Ashe (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Knight's Temptress (Lairds of the Loch) by Amanda Scott (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - A Most Devilish Rogue by Ashlyn Macnamara (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Origin (Lux, #4) by Jennifer L. Armentrout
27th - A Rake's Midnight Kiss (Sons of Sin) by Anna Campbell (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Ruin of a Rogue (Wild Quartet) by Miranda Neville (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Ruthless: The Faces of Evil Series: Book 6 by Debra Webb (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - Tamarack County: A Novel by William Kent Krueger (Aug 20, 2013)
27th - The Time of Contempt (The Witcher) by Andrzej Sapkowski (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Trouble With Being a Duke: At the Kingsborough Ball by Sophie Barnes
27th - The Vampire With the Dragon Tattoo (Love at Stake) by Kerrelyn Sparks (Aug 27, 2013)
27th - The Whole Enchilada: A Novel of Suspense (Goldy Schulz) by Diane Mott Davidson (Aug 27, 2013)

Early Review of Hotshot by Julie Garwood

• Title: Hotshot
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Hardcover: 368 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult (August 6, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 0525953019
• ISBN-13: 978-0525953012

Author's Website: http://www.juliegarwood.com/

Peyton Lockheart has recently graduated from college and has been offered her dream job. A job as a food critic for a successful magazine. Within days of her moving to Minnesota and starting her new job, the dream proves quickly to be that of a nightmare variety. Her boss, Drew Albertson, is sexual predator, and he's set his sights on Peyton. It started with a seemingly innocent brush of his hand here and an odd comment there. But quickly his true colors emerge, and when told she'll be accompanying him on an out of town business trip to review an up and coming Cuban restaurant in Miami, she refuses to go. Quickly things escalate and a recording and a piercing of bullets holes in her car later, she manages to make her way back home to Texas safe, but shaken.

Shortly after her scary ordeal, she attends the wedding of a family friend and starts talking to Finn MacBain, the groom's brother. Finn is an FBI agent and is trained to be observant, and when he notices the bullet holes he asks what the story is behind them. With a genuine concern for her safety and a strong attraction for his once neighbor, he becomes involved in her quest to stop her now ex-boss from preying upon someone else. He, however, doesn't believe Peyton's out of danger yet.

Julie Garwood has once again created a wonderful story that takes the reader on a suspenseful ride. Peyton Lockheart is a beautiful, smart, caring and likeable young woman who has a tendency to attract the attentions of the wrong kind of men. Her latest boss, however, takes the cake. He's a man in a position of power and wealth who thinks he can do as he pleases and seems to have gotten away with it. Knowing that if she doesn't do something he'll continue to terrorize other women who take over her position, she decides to try to get indisputable evidence against him. That decision, however, could cost her her life.

Finn MacBain is a three gold medal Olympic champion, FBI agent and hometown hero. Once a neighbor of Peyton's, he'd saved her life when she was six and he was fourteen. When he spots the bullet holes in her car, he attempts to find out what is going on and takes the now breathtaking young woman he hasn't seen in years under his wing. Peyton thinks by getting away from her now ex-boss that she's safe, but Finn's dealt with people like Drew Albertson in the past, and he's not convinced. With Drew's reputation, career, and millions of dollars in potential inheritance on the line, there's a good chance Peyton hasn't seen the last of Drew Albertson.

Why is the book called 'Hotshot'? Hotshot is the nickname Peyton started calling Finn when he'd been featured on the television program 60 Minutes for a successful athletic program he'd created for at risk youth. Peyton had kept in touch with Finn via emails over the years, always remembering to thank him for saving her on her birthday.

This was a fast paced book with a nice combination of mystery, romance and drama. It brought to mind the 2000 movie 'Erin Brockovich' where a small town woman takes on a company hiding a dirty little secret that nobody wants to talk about, thereby putting herself in danger. I adored the characters and loved how Ms. Garwood chose the name Finn for the character she created who swam like a fish. (He'd won his gold medals in swimming events.) On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses.

August Author Appreciation Reading Challenge

This is a challenge I created for the Goodreads group, Nothing but Reading Challenges. If you'd like to participate by joining that group, you can get to the challenge by CLICKING HERE

Duration: August

Levels of Play:
- Enthusiast; Read 2 - 3 Books
- Fan; Read 4 - 6 Books
- Follower; Read 7 - 8 Books
- Devotee ; Read 9 - 10 Books
- Fanatic; Read 11 - 12 Books
- World's Biggest Fan; Read 13+ Books

Rules of Play:

Pick a Level of play, then read 2 or more books (according to the level of play you choose) which fit one or more of the following criteria. You may mix and match at your leisure:

- Show your appreciation for one or more of your favorite authors by reading one of their books.

- Show your appreciation for an author with a double identity (writes under more than one name/pseudonym) by reading a book under each of their known "identities".(For examples, check out our Double Identity (Author) Reading Challenge by Clicking Here)

- Show your appreciation for a still very new to you author (one whom you've only read a book or two from) by reading another one of their books for this challenge.

- Show your appreciation for an author you love who has branched out into one or more genres that you haven't tried yet, and read at least one of those books.

- Show your appreciation of authors who go the extra mile and do something extra (like include a recipe or short story at the back of the book or on their website) and read the book (and then make the recipe or read the short story).

- Show your appreciation of new authors by reading a book by a "New 2 U" author who has been highly recommended to you by your family and/or friends and that you've never read a book by. (If this option interests you, check out our New 2 U challenge by Clicking Here 

- Show your appreciation of authors who team up to write a book or series by reading one of their collaborations (anthologies don't count). For examples, check out the Goodreads Listopia for Author Collaborations (Dynamic Duos) by Clicking Here  If you like this option, then check out our The Dynamic Duos (Authors) Reading Challenge by Clicking Here

Unveiling the Covers

Cover reveals appear to be quite popular, so I figured I'd throw my hat in the ring and divulge upcoming book covers as I find them. I feel it's a fun way to discuss books that are coming out and guess what they're about. Some are beautiful and some make you smile. So if you haven't yet seen them here are some of the covers you have to look forward to:

I really like the look of this one. It has so much going on. Yet another yellow and orange cover. It seems to be such a huge trend this year. I like the waterfall and the birds flying in the background. Plus, Aryal and Quentin look a little bit at odds with one another. Makes you wonder how these two are ever going to get together.

'Kinked' (A Novel of the Elder Races) by Thea Harrison is scheduled to shift into stores November 5th.

Book Synopsis:

Two opponents must confront the cause of their obsessive fury in the latest Novel of the Elder Races…

As a harpy, Sentinel Aryal is accustomed to dealing with hate, but Sentinel Quentin Caeravorn manages to inspire in her a burning ire unlike anything she’s ever known. Aryal believes the new Sentinel to be a criminal, and vows to take him out as soon as the opportunity arises. But the harpy’s incessant wrath has pushed Quentin to the limit, and forces him to make a deadly vow of his own.

To put an end to the conflict, Dragos, Lord of the Wyr, sends them on a reconnaissance mission to the Elven land of Numenlaur. Forced to work together, Aryal and Quentin’s mutual antagonism escalates. Each fight draws forth more passion—culminating in an explosively sexual confrontation. But when their quest reveals real danger, Aryal and Quentin must resolve their differences in ways beyond the physical, before the entire Wyr is threatened.

Once again we have a touch of orange and yellow on the cover. Possession. Hmmm??? Not one of the seven deadly sins this series started off naming its books after. We've got chains and an angel wing. I have no idea where this one is headed. I must say, however, I do feel a bit compelled by those eyes staring at us. Is it just me or are those bedroom eyes that say I want you? :)

'Possession' (A Novel of the Fallen Angels) by J.R. Ward, comes out October 1st

Book Synopsis:

#1 New York Times bestselling author J.R. Ward explores what really happens when good and evil toy with humanity in her new novel of the Fallen Angels, as the salvation of a doomed soul depends once again on a crossroads...

When Cait Douglass resolves to get over her broken heart, throw off her inhibitions, and start really living, she’s unprepared for the two sensual men who cross her path. Torn between them, she doesn’t know which to choose--or what kind of dire consequences could follow.

Jim Heron, fallen angel and reluctant savior, is ahead in the war, but he puts everything at risk when he seeks to make a deal with the devil--literally. As yet another soul is unwittingly caught in the battle between him and the demon Devina, his fixation on an innocent trapped in Hell threatens to sidetrack him from his sacred duty...

Can good still prevail if true love makes a savior weak? And will a woman’s future be the key, or the curse, for all of humanity? Only time, and hearts, will tell.

Charlaine Harris and Amanda Stevens (her name may be barely there, but it is there)  are teaming up to write a book together? Gah! I want it. What do I have to do and whom do I have to bribe to get an ARC of this book? lol Okay, after my initial happy dance I looked a little farther into this one and it looks like the book is divided into two stories--Dancers in the Dark and The Devil's Footprints-- each story being written by one of the two authors. Oh well, I'm still dancing. *grin*

'Dead of Night: Dancers in the Dark\The Devil's Footprints'  is set to be released on September 24th

Novella Synopsis:

Dancers in the Dark by Charlaine Harris

Layla Rue Le May is no ordinary dancer, her partner, Sean McClendon, is a three-hundred-year-old redheaded vampire. When Layla Rue acquires a stalker, she's forced to face the music…and wonder if this will finally be her last dance.

The Devil's Footprints by Amanda Stevens

Years after her sister's unsolved murder, Sarah DeLaune is haunted by the mysteries of her past when two mutilated bodies are found near Sarah's New Orleans home, the crime scene desecrated by cloven footprints. Sarah has always believed that her sister was killed by a man named Ashe Cain. But no one else has ever seen Ashe. Until now.

I'm a little worried about Xandra. She's always wearing the same clothes on her covers. I know I've occasionally had an outfit I just adore, but really? Don't you think she could afford some new threads? lol If you haven't tried this series, you may want to. I love how they didn't erase the British flair attached to the writing of this series. For me, it adds something a little extra to the story.

'Long Live the Queen' (The Immortal Empire)  is anticipated to make it's debut on November 1st

Book Synopsis:

Xandra Vardan thought life would be simpler when she accepted the goblin crown and became their queen, but life has only become more complicated. Everyone -- vampires, werewolves and humans -- wants the goblins on their side, because whoever has the goblins -- wins.

Queen Victoria wants her head, Alpha wolf Vex wants her heart, and she still doesn't know the identity of the person who wanted her blood. What she does know is that a project from one of the 'secret' aristocrat labs has gotten free and she's the only one who can stop the perfect killing machine -- a sixteen year-old girl. With human zealots intent on ridding the world of anyone with plagued blood and supernatural politics taking Britain to the verge of civil war, Xandra's finding out that being queen isn't all it's cracked up to be, and if she doesn't do something fast, hers will be the shortest reign in history.

So the title combined with the picture made me chuckle. Well, if he isn't lucky, he sure does look like he's about to get lucky. Lindsey's name blocks any chance we have of seeing the face of the woman behind the man on the cover. What I'm trying to figure out, however, is why she's so much taller than he is? Is he giving her a piggy back ride or is she standing on something or what? At first glance I wondered if the lady was attempting the Heimlich maneuver, but after a second glance, I think it's a different type of maneuver she's trying to make. What do you think?

'One Lucky Vampire' (An Argeneau Novel) will be stalking bookstore shelves on September 24th

Book Synopsis:

Luck be a vampire tonight . . .

When Nicole Phillips agreed to hire a housekeeper, she pictured someone a little frumpy and almost certainly female. Instead, she gets gorgeous, unmistakably male Jake Colson. The man is proving indispensable in the kitchen—and everywhere else. Except Jake might not be a mortal man at all.

. . . and every night

Who wouldn't want to be a tall, dark, powerful vampire? Jake, for one. He's barely had time to adjust to his new state before he's roped into a family favor. Still, secretly playing bodyguard to sweet, sexy Nicole is turning out to be the wildest ride of his life. First he'll put a stop to whoever's targeting her. Then he'll prove that this kind of love, and luck, happens only once in an eternity.

There are  two very different, but interesting covers circulating for book three of The Taker Trilogy. Is that smoke or fog beneath Lanore in the first of the two covers? She appears to be asleep or dead. I wonder which? With the title 'The Descent', will she once again be pulled into Adair's dark lifestyle? Hmmm...the book description makes it look like she may end up descending to the under world. This could be an interesting twist to the series. The second cover seems to capture a sense of longing and separation. I love the tag line at the bottom that asks, "Can love ever die?' I can't wait to see what Ms. Katsu has come up with for us in her third book. This looks like it's going to be good. :)

'The Descent: Book Three of the Taker Trilogy' will tentatively be descending upon bookstores January 7,  2014

Book Synopsis:

Lanore McIlvrae has been on the run from Adair for hundreds of years, dismayed by his mysterious powers and afraid of his temper. She betrayed Adair’s trust and imprisoned him behind a stone wall to save Jonathan, the love of her life. When Adair was freed 200 years later, she was sure that he would find her and make her existence a living hell. But things turned out far different than she’d imagined.

Four years later, Lanore has tracked Adair to his mystical island home, where he has been living in self-imposed exile, to ask for a favor. She wants Adair to send her to the hereafter so she may beg the Queen of the Underworld to release Jonathan, whom she has been keeping as her consort. Will Lanore honor her promise to Adair to return? Or is her intention to reunite with Jonathan at any cost?

Of all the forces of the universe, the most mysterious, confounding, and humbling is the power of love. The epic story of love and loss, magic and destiny that began with 'The Taker' and sparked a chase around the world in The Reckoning comes to a surprising conclusion with 'The Descent'.

Remember what I was saying before about the water theme on covers? Here again is a nice example of such a cover. The dress is gorgeous and I love how it flows into what appears to be a stream of water. Could we have a mermaid or water nymph on our hands? I almost missed the butterfly, but those blue lips are a little odd. Gorgeous is the word I would use to describe this cover.  

'Black and Blue' by Gena Showalter is scheduled stream into stores near you on October 22nd

Book Synopsis:

He is every woman’s fantasy…

Corbin Blue is a man of many talents. One of the most powerful otherworlders ever born, he is wealthy, a professional football star, and a legend in the bedroom. But only a select few know he is also a black ops agent…and there is no better killer. When he and his crew are attacked and separated, he’s forced to turn to his boss’s daughter for help—a woman with even more secrets than Blue.

She becomes his only obsession…

Evangaline Black has always been wary, guarded. No man has ever breeched her walls. Until Blue. He has never been denied something he wants, and now, he’s decided he wants her. As he sweeps her into his double life of seduction, intrigue, and danger, he helps her see beyond the darkness of her own past. But as an enemy closes in, Blue will have to let Evie go to keep her safe—even though he'd rather die than live without her…

What a great picture of Elena. She's looks sexy and dangerous all at once. Kind of like a dangerous looking playboy bunny. The placement of her weapon of choice is an interesting position. Could it be meant to represent she's ballsy? I wonder?

'Archangel's Legion' (Guild Hunter) will be flying off the shelves October 29th

Book Synopsis:

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

So according to  Monsters and Critics (on lower left hand side of cover), this is  "A series worth watching." Well, that's nice, but what I want to know is if it's a series worth reading? Being that it's written by Ms. Caine, I'm going to guess it is. Love the graveyard look in the background. Oh, and look the female lead wears her sunglasses at night. At least it looks like night. You don't see too many covers with sunglasses on a person's head unless they're going to the beach. Interesting choice. Do they hold some significance?

'Terminated: A Revivalist Novel', A Revivalist Novel, by Rachel Caine will hit bookstores on August 6th

Book Synopsis:

Already addicted to the pharmaceutical drug that keeps her body from decomposing, Bryn has to stop a secretive group of rich and powerful investors from eliminating the existing Returné addicts altogether. To ensure their plan to launch a new, military-grade strain of nanotech, the investors’ undead assassin—who just happens to be the ex-wife of Bryn’s lover Patrick—is on the hunt for anyone that stands in their way.

And while Bryn’s allies aren’t about to go down without a fight, the secret she’s been keeping threatens to put those closest to her in even more danger. Poised to become a monster that her own side—and her own lover—will have to trap and kill, Bryn needs to find the cure to have any hope of preserving the lives of her friends, and her own dwindling humanity…

Have you noticed lately there are a lot of covers with a guy up, facing down at a girl who is laying below him? They do tend to make for rather intriguing covers, don't you think? So I'm guessing this is a case of boy meets girl in another world. Could be fun.

'Alienated' is tentatively planned to invade book shelves  February 4th 

Book Synopsis:

Interplanetary relations have never been more exciting! The first in a funny, romantic YA sci-fi series.

Two years ago, the aliens made contact. Now Cara Sweeney is going to be sharing a bathroom with one of them.

Handpicked to host the first-ever L’eihr exchange student, Cara thinks her future is set. Not only does she get a free ride to her dream college, she’ll have inside information about the mysterious L’eihrs that every journalist would kill for. Cara’s blog following is about to skyrocket.

Still, Cara isn’t sure what to think when she meets Aelyx. Humans and L’eihrs have nearly identical DNA, but cold, infuriatingly brilliant Aelyx couldn’t seem more alien. She’s certain about one thing, though: no human boy is this good-looking.

But when Cara's classmates get swept up by anti-L'eihr paranoia, Midtown High School suddenly isn't safe anymore. Threatening notes appear in Cara's locker, and a police officer has to escort her and Aelyx to class.

Cara finds support in the last person she expected. She realizes that Aelyx isn’t just her only friend; she's fallen hard for him. But Aelyx has been hiding the truth about the purpose of his exchange, and its potentially deadly consequences. Soon Cara will be in for the fight of her life—not just for herself and the boy she loves, but for the future of her planet.

Hmmm.. Cute cover. So I can't help wondering if  in order to run with a naked werewolf, do you need to be mostly naked yourself? *Asks wide eyed with a devilish grin*

'How to Run with a Naked Werewolf' will be streaking it's way to shelves near you on December 31st

Book Synopsis:

Caleb Graham is a werewolf by nature, a tracker by profession. He uses his “extra gifts” to find people, and not always in the most legal or ethical manner. He doesn’t care what they’ve done, or who wants them found, as long as his considerable fee is paid. He likes his life simple and uncomplicated.

Anna Moder, former physician to Caleb’s pack, happens across Caleb during a particularly violent “negotiation” that has left him bloodied and unconscious. She helps him, despite the fact that he’s cost her a car, so he insists that she stay with him on the road for a while. As they grow closer, Anna looks past the gruff exterior and and the questionable job to thoroughly decent werewolf underneath.

Anna – who is careful to edit her involvement with Caleb’s pack from their conversations – doesn’t talk about why a nice girl wants to live in the middle of frozen nowhere, but she’s obviously on the run from something. When Anna’s past collides with Caleb’s current assignment from one of his sleazier contacts, Caleb finally has to make a choice—protect his job…or his potential mate?

*SIGH* I love the latest covers for Ms. Garwood's latest books. You so seldom see guys in attire I'd attribute to being dressy. While no tie on this guy, it makes me yearn for the years we used to see guys dress up to go to work. 

'Hotshot' will be gunning for a place on your shelf August 6th

Book Synopsis:

Peyton Lockhart and her sisters have inherited Bishop’s Cove, a small, luxurious oceanfront resort, but it comes with a condition: The girls must run the resort for one year and show a profit—only then will they own it.

A graduate of a prestigious French culinary school, Peyton has just lost her job as a food critic. Out of work and in a bad place personally, a year doing something completely different sounds wonderful.

There are countless challenges and too many people who want to stop the sisters from succeeding. Among them are Peyton’s contentious cousins, who are outraged that they didn’t inherit the resort, as well as a powerful group of land developers who have been eyeing the coveted beachfront property.

It’s soon apparent to Peyton that their efforts are being sabotaged, but she refuses to let the threats scare her—until she’s nearly killed. She calls on her childhood friend and protector, Finn MacBain, now with the FBI, and asks for his help. He saved her life once; he can do it again.
Julie’s previous two titles, The Ideal Man and Sweet Talk, both debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list.

This is such a fun cover. A little too green for me, but still pretty. Could this be a case of someone being green with envy? Is our herione trying to coax someone into chasing her? Perhaps she already punished the good Duke and fears or hopes he'll retaliate in kind? Her expression seems to say, "Catch me if you can." I love the mask on the step. I always look forward to reading Ms. MacLean's books. I sure hope I catch a copy of this one.

'No Good Duke Goes Unpunished' (The Third Rule of Scoundrels) will be making its way to stores on November 26th

Book Synopsis:

The third book in New York Times bestselling author Sarah MacLean’s Rule of Scoundrels/Fallen Angels series featuring four dark heroes that will steal the hearts of their heroines and readers alike!

In 'NO GOOD DUKE GOES UNPUNISHED', the mysterious Temple is at best an inveterate womanizer who ruined his father’s future duchess, and at worst, a cold-blooded killer who murdered his future stepmother.

No one has seen Mara Lowe since she disappeared from her bedchamber on the morning of her wedding twelve years ago—leaving behind a drunken Temple. Despite vehement claims of innocence, Temple was exiled from society, stripped of his funds and left to survive on his own.

He is the brawn behind the Fallen Angel club, and has given up on ever returning to society, until the missing Mara shows up and begs for his help.

Do you feel the heat? If you haven't tried Jennifer Bernard's Bachelor Firemen series you are seriously missing out. I adore this series. It's smoking hot. lol Why does the song 'Come on Baby Light my Fire' always dance through my head when I see one of Ms. Bernard's covers? I just can't explain it.*smirk*

'How to Tame a Wild Fireman' (A Bachelor Firemen Novel) will be heating up the bookstores on September 24th 

Book Synopsis:

The Bachelor Firemen of San Gabriel have a rebel among them, and there's only one woman who can put his flames out. 

Firefighter Patrick "Psycho" Callahan earns his nickname every day. Fast, fit, and a furious worker, he thrives on the danger which helps him forget a near-tragedy that changed his life forever. But when his off-duty carousing gets out of hand, Patrick is sent back to Loveless, Nevada, where the wildfire threatening his hometown has nothing on sizzling Dr. Lara Nelson.

Lara would rather be thought of as the physician who returned to Loveless than as the misfit brought up at a hippie New Age commune. But right now she's focused on her job at hand, patching up injured firemen...until the past hits her in the hard-muscled, blue-eyed form of Patrick Callahan. Now, the embers of their decade-old attraction have ignited into a full-on inferno, as the bad-boy firefighter and the good doctor take a walk on the wild side they'll never forget.

Boy, Hard as it Gets....A Hard Ink Novel....with a guy's rock hard abs showing and someone reaching for those rock hard... I have simply no idea what this books going to be like. *blinks innocently while grinning like a Cheshire cat*, but I've got a copy so I won't have to wait long. Being an Avon Addict Alumni does have its privilges. *Smirk*

'Hard As It Gets' (A Hard Ink Novel)  will be tantalizing bookshelves on November 26th

Book Synopsis:

Tall, dark, and lethal...

Trouble just walked into Nicholas Rixey's tattoo parlor. Becca Merritt is warm, sexy, wholesome—pure catnip to a very jaded Nick. He's left his military life behind to become co-owner of Hard Ink Tattoo, but Becca is his ex-commander's daughter. Loyalty won't let him turn her away. Lust has plenty to do with it too.

With her brother presumed kidnapped, Becca needs Nick. She just wasn't expecting to want him so much. As their investigation turns into all-out war with an organized crime ring, only Nick can protect her. And only Becca can heal the scars no one else sees.

Desire is the easy part. Love is as hard as it gets. Good thing Nick is always up for a challenge...


Notes: Book Synopsis found on Goodreads

Early Review of Flirting with Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas #5) by Katie Lane

• Title: Flirting with Texas (Deep in the Heart of Texas)
• Classification: Adult Fiction
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Format: Paperback; 368 pages
• Publisher: Forever (July 30, 2013)
• ISBN-10: 1455515698
• ISBN-13: 978-1455515691
• Author's Website: http://www.katielanebooks.com/
• Notes: I received a copy of the ARC from the publisher.

Jenna Jay Scroggs is the type of woman who fights for those who can't fight for themselves. When she sees an injustice, she needs to step in and try to make things better. As you might imagine, she isn't everyone's favorite person. By revealing things which others wish to keep quiet, she's made herself quite a few enemies. 

Beau is about as Texas as they come. In New York City for a rodeo, he's living life like there's no tomorrow. He's trying to see and do as much as he can, but Jenna throws his plans in a tizzy. Asked to find out her address by someone back in Texas, she intrigues and amuses him as he tries to follow her to acquire her address. Even though he knows she's in a serious relationship, he can't help but make his attraction for her known when they meet. When the two end up kidnapped in close quarters, however, right after she's had an argument with her now ex-boyfriend he can't help but take advantage of the situation and make sure she is privy to all his good qualities--like his rock hard abs, his toned body, and smile that has coaxed more than one woman to his side over the years.    

While the two try to figure out which of Jenna's enemies may have had it in for her and a means of escape, the two begin to get close and Beau's good nature and charm start working their magic. 

This is the fifth book in the Deep in the Heart of Texas series, and while I didn't read the first four books, I didn't feel lost in any way. It was definitely set up so it could be read as a standalone, but written in a way to tempt and entice you to read the rest of this fun and sweet series.

A year ago, Jenna Jay Scroggs and her family had a falling out. They didn't like the man she was dating, a man she'd been dating for years, and when it came to a 'him or us' type of situation, she chose him. But the Scroggs hail from a small town in Texas called Bramble. Bramble isn't like New York where Jenna now resides. To the people of the small town, The Sroggs are family, and when one of its family members is hurting they take action. Knowing Jenna's mom is suffering from the estrangement with her daughter, the town folk decided to take matters into their own hands to set things right. Now the misguided, but good intentioned citizens will attempt to make Jenna remember all the good things about living in a small town where everyone knows your name and business.

Add in a mystery about Jenna's birth, plus an additional romance taking place on the side, and you've got one fast paced, lighthearted, and extremely fun tale that had me grinning, laughing and shaking my head. Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gets a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Deep in the Heart of Texas series: